Cody Lee

Cody Lee, iDownloadBlog.com’s longest-serving Editor, joined the site in 2008. He specializes in uncovering the best deals on Apple products, apps, and accessories. With years of experience in technology journalism, Cody helps readers save money while staying informed about the latest trends and updates in the Apple ecosystem. Cody’s history with smartphones goes almost as far back as he does. As the son of a Nokia employee, he was exposed early on to handsets like the N91 and the Communicator. He has since been involved in nearly every aspect of the mobile phone industry. While going to college, he worked at a Nokia factory, building handsets, and later moved on to a sales position at a major wireless carrier.

Apple has acquired Burstly, the company behind iOS testing platform TestFlight

Cody Lee ∙ February 21, 2014

TechCrunch is reporting that Apple has acquired Burstly, the company behind the popular iOS testing platform TestFlight. There's no word on the details, or pricing, but the company has confirmed the acquisition and its employees are already working in Cupertino.

For those unfamiliar with the service, TestFlight allows developers to distribute its apps to beta testers before pushing them to the App Store for release. It's similar to HockeyApp, and several developers create their own testing platforms via Apple's enterprise program...

Apple releases iOS 7.0.6, iOS 6.1.6 with various bug fixes

Cody Lee ∙ February 21, 2014

As we continue to wait for iOS 7.1 to be released to the public, Apple has seeded iOS 7.0.6 to the public this morning. The release comes a month after iOS 7.0.5 landed at the end of January, which also featured bug fixes for certain newer models of iPhones.

It also looks like Apple has released a similar bug fix for iOS 6 users in iOS 6.1.6 Both updates are available either over the air, by visiting Settings > General > Software Update, or by plugging your device in iTunes. Or you can find them on our Download page...

Steve Jobs to appear on commemorative postage stamp next year

Cody Lee ∙ February 20, 2014

The United States Postal Service approved a number of stamps today that will be printed as part of a collectible series next year. The subjects of these stamps include Nintendo's Mario character, The Beatles' John Lennon and yes, Apple co-founder Steve Jobs.

While any member of the public can nominate someone to appear on a postage stamp, an advisory committee must review and then select those that go into production based on subjects that are "contemporary, timely, relevant, interesting and educational."

Apple once again expanding its North Carolina data center

Cody Lee ∙ February 20, 2014

According to permits filed with Catawba County, Apple is once again expanding its data center facilities in Maiden North Carolina. The plans say the new data center building will cover 14,246 square feet with walls 25 feet tall, made of concrete panels and steel columns.

The building will look very similar to the 'tactical' data center that Apple added to the site in 2012, and have a similar layout with banks of computers in the main portion of it and 11 air units to cool it. It will also feature various security measures, including a 'man-trap' door...

‘Mini Ninjas’ goes free as Apple’s App of the Week

Cody Lee ∙ Updated October 13, 2018

Apple has named Square Enix's 'Mini Ninjas' game its App of the Week for this week. This means that through next Thursday, you'll be able to pick up the application for both your iPhone and iPad, for free—a nice little savings of $1.

For those unfamiliar with the game, it's an endless runner based on the console game of the same name. In it you'll play as Hiro, as you run jump and slash your way through various levels to retrieve a stolen artifact from the drag...

Google reportedly tried to buy WhatsApp for $10 billion

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 18, 2016

The entire Internet is abuzz right now with this whole Facebook and WhatsApp deal. For the few that haven't heard yet, the social network announced yesterday afternoon that it has agreed to acquire the cross-platform messaging giant for a staggering $16 billion.

Since the announcement, details of the buyout negotiations between the two companies have begun to slowly trickle in, and as you might expect, some of them are rather interesting. Fortune, for example, is reporting that Google actually offered to buy WhatsApp first...

T-Mobile offering upgrading BlackBerry users $250 following backlash

Cody Lee ∙ Updated August 26, 2017

BlackBerry users on T-Mobile who want to upgrade to a new device will now receive $250 towards the purchase of any BlackBerry phone, or $200 toward any other smartphone. The deal follows backlash from both BB loyalists and CEO John Chen regarding a recent promo offer.

For those that missed it, T-Mobile sent out an email to its BlackBerry-using customers suggesting they switch to an iPhone 5s. Loyal BB users took to Twitter to voice their outrage at the insulting offer and BlackBerry's Chen penned a blog post calling the whole thing "inappropriate."

And here's how T-Mobile has decided to respond...

Screens updated with new trackpad mode, iCloud Keychain support and more

Cody Lee ∙ February 20, 2014

Popular VNC client Screens updated its iPhone and iPad application today, bringing it to version 3.2. The update brings about a handful of new features and a number of improvements including better URL scheme and Retina display support.

As for the new features, the app now has a trackpad mode, which—as the name suggests—allows you to control the mouse cursor on your computer as you would with a standard trackpad. And it's also gained support for your iCloud Keychain...

Tesla CEO Elon Musk confirms talks with Apple, but says sale unlikely

Cody Lee ∙ Updated September 24, 2017

Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla Motors, in an interview Bloomberg today confirmed speculation that his Palo Alto-based electric car company has held talks with Apple. He wouldn't comment on what the conversations revolved around, but noted that an acquisition was "very unlikely."

Musk's comments follow a report by The San Francisco Chronicle earlier this week that suggested the two were in buyout discussions. The paper claimed that the meeting took place in Cupertino between Musk, Tim Cook and Apple’s chief of mergers and acquisitions Adrian Perica...

Good deal: name your own price on this ‘learn to code’ bundle

Cody Lee ∙ Updated October 13, 2018

I don't know about you, but when I hear stories about app developers becoming near-overnight millionaires, it makes me want to get into the business. Unfortunately, I know very little about programming, and even less about programming for iOS.

That can be changed, though, by taking some educational courses on the subject. And wouldn't you know it, our friends over at deal site Stack Social are running one of their infamous 'name your own price' promos on a set of 8 online coding courses...

New job listings call for Apple TV content partner and software engineers

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 16, 2018

While it seems like everyone is focused on Apple's rumored iWatch, and the various features it could offer, the company is believed to be quietly working on another major project: a TV device. Not the television set we used to hear rumors about, but a new set-top box.

Adding to recent reports from Bloomberg and The Wall Street Journal regarding the project are a pair of job listings recently discovered on Apple's website. They call for a Content Partner Engineer and Software QA Engineer—both of which will work on the Apple TV team...

Facebook is buying WhatsApp for $16 billion

Cody Lee ∙ February 19, 2014

Facebook has announced this afternoon that it has reached a deal to acquire WhatsApp, the makers of the popular cross-platform messaging app, for a staggering $16 billion. That's $4 billion in cash and approximately $12 billion in Facebook shares.

The social network says that WhatsApp will continue to operate independently after the acquisition, but claims the deal with WhatsApp—who has nearly 500 million users—"accelerates Facebook’s ability to bring connectivity and utility to the world."